Green Fire Farm cattle are 100% grass-fed and finished. They spend the grazing months (May-November) out on our spray-free pastures eating fresh, lush and plentiful grass and legumes. We call the pasture a "salad bar" because it has a diverse amount of species, all with their own particular taste and nutrients. The cattle get to choose what species they prefer to suit their own nutritional needs at that particular time, sometimes even treating their own ailments. They are supplemented with free choice and organic salt and kelp to help balance their mineral and vitamin needs. Our cattle maintain their 100% grass diet throughout the non-grazing season (Dec-April). We harvest hay from our alfalfa fields and store it as dry bales and haylage to be fed daily to our cattle.

Black Angus, Red Devon, Galloway, Hereford, Red Angus. Our cattle herd has multiple breeds because each breed (and individual) brings a certain set of strengths and weaknesses to the table. For example, black angus have strong maternal instincts and high growth rates. Red devons are extremely docile and have tender meat. Galloways can survive on tree bark and still produce marbled meat. We cross breed in order to unlock the benefits of "hybrid vigor" which is the tendency of the weaknesses of each individual parent to be masked by the strengths of the other parent.

You are what you eat, right? If we take it further, you can say "you are, what you eat, eats". The ratio of Omega-3s to Omega-6s in your diet is extremely important to general health and well-being, especially when it comes to inflammation. The meat and fat from animals that are eating green, growing plants have higher amounts of Omega-3's in comparison to their grain-fed counterparts. Typically, Omega-6's are overly abundant in people's diets, and they need more Omega-3's to lower their ratio.

Topsoil feet-deep was built throughout the prairies and savannas across the world from the interaction between grazing herbivores and plants. In the Midwest, there were bison, elk, deer, horses, and even mastodons and mammoths that were constantly grazing and migrating to where the grass was greener. This migrating naturally created a rest period for plants and giving them the opportunity to regrow, just in time for herbivores to come back. We substitute cattle for bison to get this natural process going on our farm. The cattle graze and fertilize with their manure at the same time, making the land more fertile and more resilient.

All animals have evolved and adapted to grow, mature, and develop a certain way throughout their lives. We manage our cattle so that the only hormones or steroids in their bodies are the ones they produce on their own. Fresh air, green grass, and sunshine goes a very long way towards hardy and happy animals. Antibiotics are often fed sub-therapeutically (not to treat an illness) in conventional operations to increase growth rates, which has been linked to the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. We do not feed any antibiotics, but we do occasionally treat individuals in the rare event they have a serious ailment. This is usually topical, and a one or two time occurrence, never close to the time of butchering.

Unlike many other hog operations, we breed and raise all of our own pigs from birth so you can know that our animals have never been subject to unethical practices at other farms. We maintain a small group of sows and one boar. The sows farrow outside when the weather permits, and never see the inside of a gestation crate. We do not do any clipping of tails, teeth, or other popular alternations to our piglets.

Our hogs are typically on pasture from May-November, as long as it's not too muddy or cold. From December-April, and during inclement weather, we utilize our farm's old dairy buildings to shelter the hogs from the cold and wet conditions. We planted over 1,000 fruit, nut and support trees in the pasture that we raise our pigs and sheep. In the future, these trees will provide relief from the sun and wind, while producing bountiful organic feed and treats for our active hogs.

Mangalista, Red Wattle, Large Black, Mulefoot, and Chester White. We raise multiple breeds of hogs because each breed (and individual) brings a certain set of strengths and weaknesses to the table. For example, Mangalistas have very dark and flavorful meat and fat. Large blacks are long (more bacon!) and very mellow. Red Wattles are great mothers and have large litters. We cross breed in order to unlock the benefits of "hybrid vigor" which is the tendency of the weaknesses of each individual parent to be masked by the strengths of the other parent.

Our philosophy applies to all of our animals on the farm. All animals have evolved and adapted to grow, mature, and develop a certain way throughout their lives. We manage our hogs so that the only hormones or steroids in their bodies are the ones they produce on their own. Fresh air, green grass, and sunshine goes a very long way towards hardy and happy animals. Antibiotics are often fed sub-therapeutically (not to treat an illness) in conventional operations to increase growth rates, which has been linked to the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. We do not feed any antibiotics, but we do occasionally treat individuals in the rare event they have a serious ailment. This is usually topical, and a one or two time occurrence, never close to the time of butchering.

We source certified organic feed from a local, family-run mill in Wisconsin. S&S Custom Roasters in Beaver Dam makes it a priority to source from Wisconsin and other Midwest states rather than from other continents. We pay a bit of a premium for this local and smaller-scale grain, but we are happy to support our local economy and environmental stewardship.

Green Fire Farm sheep are 100% grass-fed and finished. They spend the grazing months (May-November) out on our spray-free pastures eating fresh, lush and plentiful grass and legumes. They are supplemented with free choice and organic salt and kelp to help balance their mineral and vitamin needs. Our sheep maintain their 100% grass diet throughout the non-grazing season (Dec-April). We harvest hay from our alfalfa fields and store it as dry bales and haylage to be fed daily in the winter.

We raise St. Croix - Dorper crosses. This combination of breeds produces a hair sheep (not sheared for wool) that is extremely hardy and great mothers. As a result, we have not needed to use any toxic de-wormers or parasite removers. Fall 2018, we bought 14 Katahdin ewes to expand our flock. Katahdins are also a hair breed and are closely related to the St. Croix breed.

Both of our meat birds- chickens and turkeys- are raised in a brooder with safe and healthy temperature and moisture conditions during their first few weeks. As soon as they are strong enough to handle the cool nights and potential inclement weather we move them out to their pens on the pasture. These pens are spacious and secure. Meat birds are naturally less active, and usually prefer the lower stress and security of a sturdy pen rather than a truly free-range or open shelter. As a result, we have very little deaths and injuries from predator attacks. We move the pens once or twice each day to make sure that the birds are getting constant access to fresh forage, insects and bedding.

The Laying Hens at Green Fire Farm live year-round in a mobile, greenhouse building which houses their water, feed, nest boxes, and roosts. During the grazing season, the shelter is slid to a new piece of pasture frequently to ensure constant access to insects and fresh forage. In the winter, we park the building out of the wind and cold.

All of our poultry are raised on pasture where they hunt and eat insects and seeds and forage on the lush plants. We also supplement them with a certified-organic feed from a local, family-run mill in Wisconsin to reach their protein and energy needs. S&S Custom Roasters in Beaver Dam makes it a priority to source from Wisconsin and other Midwest states rather than from other continents. We pay a bit of a premium for this local and smaller-scale grain, but we are happy to support our local economy and environmental stewardship.

Freyja is our newest addition to the farm! She is charged with guarding the laying hens. She is still a puppy and in her training phase, but after some time, she is sure to be a great guardian as her name implies! She is intelligent and playful, yet attentive. Learn more about how we chose her name in our blog.

Henry is a young Karakachan who is being trained to guard our sheep herd. He is stoic but energetic, smart but goofy, and he loves the snow. He's just about done growing now, and is plenty big to keep predators at a distance.